Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: May 9, 2008
Contact: Lt. Collin Bronson
206-605-4840

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS DRILL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard working in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Ecology (WADOE), the Makah Tribe and SeaRiver Maritime Inc., is preparing to conduct a major oil spill exercise on the Washington coast, May 13-14, 2008.  This exercise will focus on interagency cooperation in meeting federal, state, county and tribal regulatory requirements for a large scale oil spill response. 

This exercise is part of a triennial requirement of the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (NPREP), which will simulate the abilities of multiple agencies and SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., to manage an effective response associated with a large-scale oil spill.  Taking place in Ocean Shores, Wash., the drill scenario will involve a vessel collision off shore of the Olympic Peninsula with potential impact to the Olympic Marine Sanctuary. 

The exercise objectives include assessing: 

• Potential environmental and economic impacts.
• The ability of the Unified Command to make effective, joint decisions.
• The ability to effectively and safely respond to a large-scale oil spill in a remote environment (no response equipment will be deployed.)
• Plans for the use of and training of volunteers in clean up efforts.
• Plans for the consideration of the use of all available spill response methods, including mechanical, oil dispersants and other alternative technologies.
• The ability to effectively communicate efforts with officials, the general public and the media.

WHO:  USCG, WADOE, Makah Tribe, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc.,and it's  spill management team, as well as other state and county officials.

WHAT:  National Preparedness for Response Program Exercise 2008 (NPREP 2008) will be held in Ocean Shores Wash May 13-14, 2008. Media availability will be held on May 14, 2008, to discuss and explain the processes associated with planning and executing a large-scale oil spill exercise. Interested media will be able to video record events and interview select representatives from public agencies and private industry during the period specified below. 

WHEN: 1100-2:00 p.m. 14 May 2008.

WHERE: Ocean Shores Convention Center, Ocean Shores, Wash.

** Media will be escorted on location to capture footage of Command Center as well as actual drill activities outside. This opportunity will be immediately followed by a press conference in the media room where interviews will be available with drill representatives.   

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